Brown focused on development, not tanking

The Sixers (6-11) look to snap their three-game skid when they kick off December against the Detroit Pistons (6-10).

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. (CSN) at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Let’s take a closer look at the matchup:

1. Feeling homesickThe Sixers have had their share of problems lately and things have been even worse on the road.

The team has just a 1-6 record away from home this season with its lone road win coming in the second game of the year over Washington.

While the Sixers are allowing a league-worst 109.8 points per game, that number has reached 113.8 during their six straight road defeats. They rank 28th in the NBA in defensive efficiency coming into Sunday’s meeting.

The Sixers should be able to find their footing against a Detroit squad that’s had its own issues on the offensive end. The Pistons are 18th in the league in scoring at 98.3 points per game. Also, in the three-point department -- where the Sixers have struggled all season long -- the Pistons are dead last with a woeful 28.8 percent.

2. All hands on deckA big reason the Sixers have struggled recently is the shuffling of their lineup.

Due to injuries (Spencer Hawes and Michael Carter-Williams) and personal reasons (Thaddeus Young), the Sixers have been without their usual slate of starters. Friday’s home loss to the New Orleans Pelicans was the first time in nine games that the Sixers trotted their regular starting lineup onto the court.

In nine games with head coach Brett Brown’s normal lineup, the Sixers posted a 4-5 record and reached the 100-point mark six times. In the other eight games, the Sixers are 2-6 and hit the 100-point mark just three times.

3. Get on the glassThe Sixers rank third in the NBA in rebounding, but they might have their hands full on the boards against the Pistons.

The Pistons only rate 14th in rebounding. However, they boast a trio of big men that can clean the glass with anyone in Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe and Josh Smith.

Drummond’s 11.8 rebounds per game are fourth-best in the league. Monroe grabs 8.6 boards a game and Smith hauls in 7.3.

All of that talent and length in the paint helps the Pistons grab a league-best 13.6 offensive rebounds per game.